Penticton teen thanks the people that saved her life

A 15-year-old Penticton girl got to recently reunite with the people that saved her life after a freak accident last year.

Marissa Lemioer was ATVing with friends at Apex Mountain last July when a tree log kicked up and impaled her, narrowly missing her heart. She had to be airlifted and taken to Kelowna General Hospital in what was a complex, critical and time sensitive mission that challenged even the most seasoned of emergency response personnel, according to rescuers.

Penticton Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance Air and Ground Services, Emergency Medical Dispatchers and Emergency Physicians at Kelowna General Hospital all played a role in saving her life that day.

On Thursday, Marissa and her mother got to meet and thank some of the people involved.

The new trauma centre at Kelowna General Hospital played a vital in saving Marissa’s life. A single $1 million donation from Charles E. Fipke in 2012 helped fund the state of the art centre.

The story about Marissa's rescue is featured in a new KGH video that highlights the importance of donors.